Card retention connector system

ABSTRACT

An electronic component assembly includes a board having an electronic component, a connector mounted to the board and electrically connected to the electronic component and having an anchoring feature positioned on an exterior of the connector, and a card having another electronic component and a securing feature. The electronic component assembly also includes a movable member positioned on one of the connector or the card. The movable member is positioned in the securing feature and contacts the anchoring feature to secure the card in a seated position in the connector, or the anchoring feature includes the movable member and contacts the securing feature to secure the card in the seated position in the connector.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to electronic component assemblies, andmore specifically, to electrical and mechanical connectors for printedcircuit boards.

Traditional printed circuit boards (PCBs) can be employed in computingsystems to perform computing functions. For example, a differential dualin-line memory module (DDIMM) can be connected to a backplane of acomputer in order to provide memory functionality to the computer.Traditional PCBs have connectors that run along an entire edge of thePCB, which can limit the size of the PCB. In addition, traditional PCBscan have anchoring and/or securing features that can occupy space on thePCB. The result of either scenario can be that the capability and/orperformance of the PCB can be limited. This can affect the capabilityand/or performance of the computer since there can be a limited numberof slots for PCBs.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electroniccomponent assembly includes a board having an electronic component, aconnector mounted to the board and electrically connected to theelectronic component and having an anchoring feature positioned on anexterior of the connector, and a card having another electroniccomponent and a securing feature. The electronic component assembly alsoincludes a movable member positioned on one of the connector or thecard. The movable member is positioned in the securing feature andcontacts the anchoring feature to secure the card in a seated positionin the connector, or the anchoring feature includes the movable memberand contacts the securing feature to secure the card in the seatedposition in the connector.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electroniccomponent assembly comprises a board comprising a first electroniccomponent, a connector mounted to the board and electrically connectedto the first electronic component, the connector comprising an anchoringfeature, and a card comprising a second electronic component, a firstsecuring feature, a second securing feature, and a movable memberpositioned in the first and second securing features. The movable memberis positioned in contact with the anchoring feature to secure the cardin a seated position in the connector.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electroniccomponent assembly comprises a board comprising a first electroniccomponent, a connector mounted to the board and electrically connectedto the first electronic component, the connector comprising a firstanchoring feature and a second anchoring feature, and a card comprisinga second electronic component and a first securing feature. The firstsecuring feature is configured to be engaged by the first anchoringfeature and the second anchoring feature to secure the card in a seatedposition in the connector, and the first anchoring feature and thesecond anchoring feature move away from each other, in oppositedirections, as the card is moved from a disengaged position to theseated position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electronic component assembly, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a front view of an electronic card assembly seated in aconnector; FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the electronic card andthe connector as indicated by line 2-2 in FIG. 2A; and FIG. 2C is across-sectional view of an alternative electronic card assembly and analternative connector as indicated by line 2-2 in FIG. 2A, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternative electronic card assembly seatedin an alternative connector, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4A is a front view of an alternative electronic card assemblyseated in an alternative connector; FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view ofthe alternative electronic card and the alternative connector asindicated by line 4-4 in FIG. 4A; and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional viewof an alternative electronic card assembly and an alternative connectoras indicated by line 4-4 in FIG. 4A, according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a front view of an alternative electronic card assemblyseated in an alternative connector; FIG. 5B is a side view of thealternative connector; and FIG. 5C is a front view of the alternativeelectronic card assembly seated and secured in the alternativeconnector, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a front view of an alternative electronic card assemblydisengaged from an alternative connector; FIG. 6B is a cross-sectionalview of the alternative electronic card and the alternative connector asindicated by line 6-6 in FIG. 6A; and FIG. 6C is a top view of a latch,according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative electronic card assemblydisengaged from an alternative connector, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8A is a front view of an alternative electronic card assemblydisengaged from an alternative connector; and FIG. 8B is a side view ofthe alternative electronic card assembly and the alternative connector,according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a side view of electronic component assembly 100. In theillustrated embodiment, electronic component assembly 100 comprisesboard 102 and electronic card assemblies 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4,104-5, 104-6, and 104-7 (generically, “card 104” or collectively, “cards104”). Board 102 comprises substrate 106 mounted to which are electroniccomponent 108 and connectors 110 that are electrically connected toelectronic component 108. Electronic component 108 can be any of anumber of elements including, for example, a processor, memory,transmitter, resistor, capacitor, diode, connector, and/or wire leads.

In the illustrated embodiment, each card 104 (except for card 104-1) isseated in a connector 110 such that each card 104 extendsperpendicularly to substrate 106. Card 104-1 is shown in a disengagedposition (i.e., not positioned in its respective connector 110),although card 104-1 is oriented such that card 104-1 can be seated bymoving it directly into its respective connector 110. Each card 104comprises substrate 112 with connection portion 114, and electroniccomponents 116 are mounted to substrate 112 and electrically connectedto connection portion 114 (although only substrate 112-1, connectionportion 114-1, and electronic components 116-1 and 116-2 are labeled inFIG. 1). Each card 104 can be a PCB that serves one or more functions,such as, for example, memory (e.g., DDIMM, M2 memory), power (e.g.,pluggable voltage regulator module), input/output (e.g., ethernet,universal serial bus), network (e.g., Wi-Fi®), and/or processing (e.g.,computing, graphics). Because cards 104 can be connected, disconnected,and exchanged from board 102, the features, functions, and/orperformance of electronic component assembly 100 can be altered at willin very short amounts of time without skilled labor.

FIG. 2A is a front view of electronic card assembly 204 (“card 204”)seated in connector 210. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of card 204and connector 210 as indicated by line 2-2 in FIG. 2A. Card 204 can besimilar to or the same as electronic card assembly 104-1, and connector210 can be similar to or the same as connector 110 (both shown in FIG.1).

In the illustrated embodiment, card 204 includes substrate 212,connection portion 214, and electrical components 216-1 and 216-2.Connection portion 214 further includes an array of pairs of electricalpads 220 and pairs of friction pads 222 that extend laterally parallelto each other, and, in this embodiment, connection portion 214 is nomore than 80% of the length of the side of substrate 212 that it extendsacross. In some embodiments, connection portion 214 is no more than 50%of the length of the side of substrate 212 that it extends across.Connector 210 is generally U-shaped and includes an array of pairs ofelectrical contacts 224 and pairs of friction contacts 226 that extendlaterally parallel to each other inside of connector 210. When card 204is seated in connector 210, electrical contacts 224 contact electricalpads 220, respectively, and friction contacts 226 contact friction pads222, respectively. Furthermore, when card 204 is disengaged fromconnector 210 (as shown by card 104-1 in FIG. 1), electrical contacts224 and friction contacts 226 are separated from electrical pads 220 andfriction pads 222.

When card 204 is disengaged from connector 210, electrical contacts 224and friction contacts 226 are fixed and leaned inwards toward the centerof connector 210. When card 204 is being inserted into connector 210,the wedge-shaped leading edge of connection portion 214 spreads aparteach pair of electrical contacts 224 and each pair of friction contacts226. The elastic deformation of electrical contacts 224 and frictioncontacts 226 exerts force on electrical pads 220 and friction pads 222,respectively. In some embodiments, the amount of force exerted on afriction pad 222 by a friction contact 226 can be at least 2.5 times theamount of force exerted on an electrical pad 220 by an electricalcontact 224. In some embodiments, the amount of force exerted on afriction pad 222 by a friction contact 226 can be no greater than 10times the force of the force exerted on an electrical pad 220 by anelectrical contact 224. In some embodiments, the amount of force exertedon a friction pad 222 by a friction contact 226 can be at least 3 timesthe force of the force exerted on an electrical pad 220 by an electricalcontact 224. In some embodiments, the amount of force exerted on afriction pad 222 by a friction contact 226 can be no greater than 6times the force of the force exerted on an electrical pad 220 by anelectrical contact 224.

Various materials can be used for the electrical pads 220, friction pads222, electrical contacts 224, and friction contacts 226. For example,electrical pads 220 and/or electrical contacts 224 can be comprised ofhighly electrically conductive materials, such as gold. For anotherexample, friction pads 222 and/or friction contacts 226 can be comprisedof relatively higher friction materials, such as metals (e.g., nickel)or polymer (e.g., PCB substrate). Thereby, it can be difficult for card204 to inadvertently or accidentally be removed from connector 210.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of alternative electronic cardassembly 250 (“card 250”) and alternative connector 252 as indicated byline 2-2 in FIG. 2A. Card 250 can be similar to or the same as card 204,and connector 252 can be similar to or the same as connector 210 (bothshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B). However, there are differences. For example,friction contacts 254 are pinned to connector 252 such that they arerotatable, and they are biased inwards by biasing members 256 (e.g.,springs).

In addition, there are no friction pads on card 250. In the illustratedembodiment, friction contacts 254 contact card substrate 258 directly.Effectively, the “friction pad” is made from PCB substrate material,such as, for example, FR-2 (phenolic cotton paper), FR-3 (cotton paperand epoxy), FR-4 (woven glass and epoxy), FR-5 (woven glass and epoxy),FR-6 (matte glass and polyester), G-10 (woven glass and epoxy), CEM-1(cotton paper and epoxy), CEM-2 (cotton paper and epoxy), CEM-3(non-woven glass and epoxy), CEM-4 (woven glass and epoxy), and CEM-5(woven glass and polyester). Thereby, it can be difficult for card 250to inadvertently or accidentally be removed from connector 252.

More generally, the presence of friction contacts 226, 254 inconjunction with friction pads 222 or substrate 258 provide a muchgreater frictional force to keep card 204, 250 seated in connector 210,252, respectively. This occurs without requiring additional friction tobe provided by electrical pads 220 and electrical contacts 224, whichcould cause premature wear thereon, potentially degrading conductivityand/or causing signal loss or noise.

While FIGS. 2A-2C show some embodiments of the present disclosure,alternative embodiments are possible as well. For example, there can beembodiments with only one side of card 204, 250 having electrical pads220 and/or friction pads 222. In such embodiments, connector 210, 252would only have one side of electrical contacts 224 and frictioncontacts 226 instead of having opposing pairs thereof. For anotherexample, while there is an array of three evenly spaced pairs ofelectrical pads 220 shown, in other embodiments, there can be a greateror fewer number of electrical pads 220 and/or a different arrangement ofelectrical pads 220. In such embodiments, there would be a correspondingnumber and arrangement of electrical contacts 224. For another example,connector 210 can have closed ends like connector 110 (shown in FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is a front view of alternative electronic card assembly 304(“card 304”) seated in alternative connector 310. Card 304 can besimilar to or the same as card 104-1, and connector 310 can be similarto or the same as connector 110 (both shown in FIG. 1). In somerespects, card 304 can be similar to or the same as card 204 and/orconnector 310 can be similar to or the same as connector 210 (both shownin FIGS. 2A-2C). Therefore, the reference numerals in FIG. 3 can be 100more than the reference numerals of corresponding features in FIG. 2, afeature which may apply to reference numerals in FIGS. 4A-8B as well.

In the illustrated embodiment, card 304 includes substrate 312,connection portion 314, and electrical components 316-1 and 316-2.Connection portion 314 further includes an array of electrical pads 320.Connector 310 includes an array of electrical contacts 324 and frictioncontacts 326 inside of connector 310. When card 304 is seated inconnector 310, electrical contacts 324 and friction contacts 326 contactelectrical pads 320, respectively. Furthermore, when card 304 isdisengaged from connector 310 (as shown by card 104-1 in FIG. 1),electrical contacts 324 and friction contacts 326 are separated fromelectrical pads 320.

As card 304 is being seated and when card 304 is fully seated inconnector 310, elastic deformation of electrical contacts 324 andfriction contacts 326 exerts force on electrical pads 320, respectively.In some embodiments, the amount of force exerted on an electrical pad320 by a friction contact 326 can be at least 2.5 times the amount offorce exerted on an electrical pad 320 by an electrical contact 324. Insome embodiments, the amount of force exerted on an electrical pad 320by a friction contact 326 can be no greater than 10 times the force ofthe force exerted on an electrical pad 320 by an electrical contact 324.In some embodiments, the amount of force exerted on an electrical pad320 by a friction contact 326 can be at least 3 times the force of theforce exerted on an electrical pad 320 by an electrical contact 324. Insome embodiments, the amount of force exerted on an electrical pad 320by a friction contact 326 can be no greater than 6 times the force ofthe force exerted on an electrical pad 320 by an electrical contact 324.

To contrast card 304 and connector 310 with card 204 and connector 210(shown in FIG. 2), card 304 does not include separate friction pads,such as friction pads 222. Instead, friction contacts 326 contact andexert force against the non-electrically connected members of the arrayof electrical pads 320. In the illustrated embodiment, the specificelectrical pads 320 being referred to are the leftmost and rightmostones, which are not connected to electronic component 316-1 by anelectrical lead 328 (as the center three electrical pads 320 are). Inother words, the array of electrical pads 320 has positions that areused for electrical connections to connector 310 and other positionsthat are used as friction contacts with connector 310. However, frictionpads 222 of card 204 are located outside of positions where electricalpads 320 would otherwise be (i.e., friction pads 222 are not properly inthe array of electrical pads 320).

Various materials can be used for the electrical pads 320, electricalcontacts 324, and friction contacts 326. For example, electrical pads320 and/or electrical contacts 324 can be comprised of highlyelectrically conductive materials, such as gold. For another example,the electrical pads 320 corresponding to friction contacts 326 and/orfriction contacts 326 can be comprised of relatively higher frictionmaterials, such as metals (e.g., nickel) or polymer (e.g., PCBsubstrate). For yet another example, the non-electrically connectedelectrical pads 320 (corresponding to friction contacts 326) arecomprised of the same material as the electrically connected electricalpads 320 (corresponding to electrical contacts 324) so that they can allbe manufactured during the same process. In such embodiments, thenon-electrically connected electrical pads 320 can be made thicker thanthe electrically connected electrical pads 320.

More generally, the presence of friction contacts 326 in conjunctionwith their corresponding electrical pads 320 provide a much greaterfrictional force to keep card 304 seated in connector 310. Thereby, itcan be difficult for card 304 to inadvertently or accidentally beremoved from connector 310. This occurs without requiring additionalfriction to be provided by electrical pads 320 and electrical contacts324, which could cause premature wear thereon, potentially degradingconductivity and/or causing signal loss or noise.

While FIG. 3 shows some embodiments of the present disclosure,alternative embodiments are possible as well. For example, there can beembodiments with both sides of card 304 having electrical pads 320. Insuch embodiments, connector 310 would have pairs of electrical contacts324 and friction contacts 326, similar to or the same as card 204 andconnector 210 (shown in FIG. 2B). For another example, other patterns ofthe array of electrical pads 320 are possible, such that the respectivespacing can be different and/or non-uniform, and/or the positions ofwhich electrical pads 320 are electrically connected and which ones arenot can also be different.

FIG. 4A is a front view of alternative electronic card assembly (“card404”) seated in alternative connector 410. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectionalview of card 404 and connector 410 as indicated by line 4-4 in FIG. 4A.Card 404 can be similar to or the same as card 104-1, and connector 410can be similar to or the same as connector 110 (both shown in FIG. 1).

In the illustrated embodiment, card 404 includes substrate 412,connection portion 414, and electrical components 416-1 and 416-2.Connection portion 414 further includes an array of electrical pads 420and shelves 430. Connector 410 includes an array of electrical contacts424 and fingers 432 inside of connector 410. When card 304 is seated inconnector 410, electrical contacts 424 contact electrical pads 420,respectively. Furthermore, when card 404 is disengaged from connector410 (as shown by card 104-1 in FIG. 1), electrical contacts 424 areseparated from electrical pads 420.

As card 404 is moved from a disengaged position to being seated inconnector 410, the leading edge of connection portion 414 elasticallyspreads apart each pair of electrical contacts 424, and shelves 430elastically spread apart fingers 432. As card 404 is being finallyseated in connected 410, the inner ends of fingers 432 snap over shelves430, respectively. In this configuration, fingers 432 may or may not bein contact with substrate 412. Regardless, withdrawing card 404 fromconnector 410 is made significantly difficult due to the tops of shelves430 being perpendicular (or at a slight angle) with respect to thebottoms of fingers 432 (which is in contrast to the bottom surfaces ofshelves 430 that are at substantial angles from the tops of fingers432).

To contrast card 304 and connector 310 with card 304 and connector 310(shown in FIG. 3), connector 410 does not include friction contacts,such as friction contacts 326. While fingers 432 contact shelves 430during seating of card 304 (causing more friction than electricalcontacts 424 do), connector 410 does not contact card 404 in the regionof the array of electrical pads 420 when card 404 is fully seated.Instead, contact can be on shelves 430 and/or on substrate 412 above theregion where electrical pads 420 are located. In some embodiments,fingers 432 do not contact shelves 430 when card 404 is fully seated. Insuch embodiments, fingers 432 would contact shelves 430 if card 404 waswithdrawn a small amount, which prevents card 404 from being disengagedfrom connector 310.

Various materials can be used for the electrical pads 420, electricalcontacts 424, and fingers 432. For example, electrical pads 420 and/orelectrical contacts 424 can be comprised of highly electricallyconductive materials, such as gold. For another example, fingers 432 canbe comprised of relatively higher friction materials, such as metals(e.g., nickel) or polymer (e.g., PCB substrate) and/or fingers 432 canbe plated, for example, with gold and/or copper.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of alternative electronic cardassembly 450 (“card 450”) and alternative connector 452 as indicated byline 4-4 in FIG. 4A. Card 450 can be similar to or the same as card 404,and connector 452 can be similar to or the same as connector 410 (bothshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B). However, there are differences. For example,shelves 460 extend into the array of electrical contacts 420, in betweenthe individual electrical contacts 420. For another example, card 404can include divots 464 into which fingers 462 are positioned when card450 is seated in connector 452.

More generally, fingers 432, 462 are anchoring features that areconfigured to engage with shelves 430, 460 and/or divots 464 which aresecuring features. Thereby, shelves 430, 460, fingers 432, 462, anddivots 464 provide a geometric impediment that can keep cards 404, 450seated in connectors 410, 452, respectively. Thereby, it can bedifficult for cards 404, 450 to inadvertently or accidentally be removedfrom connectors 410, 452, respectively. This occurs without requiringadditional friction to be provided by electrical pads 420 and electricalcontacts 424, which could cause premature wear thereon, potentiallydegrading conductivity and/or causing signal loss or noise. Furthermore,shelves 460 prevent fingers 462 from dragging on electrical contacts424, preventing unnecessary wear thereof.

While FIGS. 4A-4C show some embodiments of the present disclosure,alternative embodiments are possible as well. For example, there can beembodiments with only one shelf 430, 460. In such embodiments, connector410, 452 would only have one finger 432, 462 and one divot 464 insteadof having opposing pairs thereof.

FIG. 5A is a front view of alternative electronic card assembly 504(“card 504”) seated in alternative connector 510. FIG. 5B is a side viewof connector 510. FIG. 5C is a front view of card 504 seated and securedin connector 510. Card 504 can be similar to or the same as card 104-1,and connector 510 can be similar to or the same as connector 110 (bothshown in FIG. 1).

In the illustrated embodiment, card 504 includes substrate 512,connection portion 514, electrical components 516-1 and 516-2, and band534. Band 534 is a movable member that serves as a securing feature thatis comprised of an elastomeric material. Band 534 rests in notches 536in the sides of substrate 512 which prevent band 534 from sliding up ordown card 504. In addition, connector 510 includes hooks 538 that extendforward and backward from the exterior of connector 510 and areconfigured to hold band 534 to secure card 504 in connector 510, thusserving as anchoring features. Hooks 538 can have interuptions 540 whichare gaps in hooks 538, for example, that allow a claw tool (not shown)to be used to pull band 534 down from its rested position (shown in FIG.5A) to its secured position (shown in FIG. 5C). Thereby, card 504 can besecured to connector 510 such that it can be difficult for card 504 toinadvertently or accidentally be removed from connector 510.

FIG. 6A is a front view of alternative electronic card assembly 604(“card 604”) disengaged from alternative connector 610. FIG. 6B is across-sectional view of card 604 and connector 610 as indicated by line6-6 in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is a top view of latch 642. Card 604 can besimilar to or the same as card 104-1, and connector 610 can be similarto or the same as connector 110 (both shown in FIG. 1).

In the illustrated embodiment, card 604 includes substrate 612,connection portion 614, electrical components 616-1 and 616-2, and latch642. Latch 642 is a securing feature that is connected to substrate 612at notches 636 and is comprised of a substantially elasticallydeformable material, such as polymer or metal, such that latch 642 canbe a movable member. Latch 642 includes claws 644, fulcrum 646, hook648, and tab 650. Claws 644 clip around the sides of substrate 612 atnotches 636 so that latch 642 does not extend laterally beyond theboundaries of card 604. Fulcrum 646 also contacts substrate 612 on anarea thereof where there is an absence of electrical components 616 andprovides a pivot for hook 648 and tab 650.

In the illustrated embodiment, hook 648 is configured to engagedepression 652, which is an anchoring feature in the exterior ofconnector 610, in connector 610 when card 604 is seated in connector610. If a user desires to disengage card 604, the user can depress tab650 (i.e., move tab 650 toward substrate 612) which flexes catch 642such that hook 648 is pivoted out of depression 652 about fulcrum 646.Thereby, latch 642 is a lever that can secure card 604 to connector 610such that it can be difficult for card 604 to inadvertently oraccidentally be removed from connector 610.

While FIGS. 6A-6C show some embodiments of the present disclosure,alternative embodiments are possible as well. For example, latch 642 canbe a two-piece assembly instead of a monolithic component. In suchembodiments, hook 648 and tab 650 can be on one piece that is rotatablyconnected (e.g., pinned) to the other piece which would include claws644 and fulcrum 646.

FIG. 7 is a front view of alternative electronic card assembly 704(“card 704”) disengaged from alternative connector 710. Card 704 can besimilar to or the same as card 104-1, and connector 710 can be similarto or the same as connector 110 (both shown in FIG. 1).

In the illustrated embodiment, card 704 includes substrate 712,connection portion 714, and electrical components 716-1 and 716-2.Unlike the previously depicted cards, card 704 includes wings 754 whichare portions of substrate 712 alongside connection portion 714 thatprovide additional space for mounting electrical components 716-3 and716-4. This can increase the capability and/or performance of electroniccomponent assembly 100 (shown in FIG. 1) without increasing its physicalsize.

Wings 754 include tabs 756 which are securing features that extend fromwings 754 and are engaged by movable detents 758, respectively, whichare anchoring features on the exterior of connector 710, as card 704 isinserted into connector 710 and seated therein. More specifically, tabs756 contact the angled faces of detents 758, respectively, to initiallymove detents 758 inwards, in opposite directions, towards each other.After sufficient insertion of card 704, springs 760 urge detents 758 tomove outwards, in opposite directions, away from each other. When card704 is fully seated, detents 758 may still be in contact with tabs 756to secure card 704 to connector 710 such that it can be difficult forcard 704 to inadvertently or accidentally be removed from connector 710.

FIG. 8A is a front view of alternative electronic card assembly 804(“card 804”) disengaged from alternative connector 810. FIG. 8B is aside view of card 804 and connector 810. Card 804 can be similar to orthe same as card 104-1, and connector 810 can be similar to or the sameas connector 110 (both shown in FIG. 1).

In the illustrated embodiment, card 804 includes substrate 812,connection portion 814, and electrical components 816-1, 816-2, 816-3,and 816-4. Unlike some of the previously depicted cards, card 804includes wings 854 which are portions of substrate 812 alongsideconnection portion 814 that provide additional space for mountingelectrical components 816-3 and 816-4. This can increase the capabilityand/or performance of electronic component assembly 100 (shown inFIG. 1) without increasing its physical size.

Wings 854 include tabs 856 which are securing features that extend fromwings 854 and are engaged by pincers 862, respectively, which areanchoring features on the exterior of connector 810, as card 804 isinserted into connector 810 and seated therein. More specifically, tabs856 contact fingers 864, respectively, to initially move fingers 864outwards, in opposite directions, away from each other, respectively.After sufficient insertion of card 804, the elastic deformation ofpincers 862 urge fingers 864 to move inwards, in opposite directions,towards each other, respectively. When card 804 is fully seated, pincers862 may still be in contact with tabs 856 to secure card 804 toconnector 810 such that it can be difficult for card 804 toinadvertently or accidentally be removed from connector 810.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended tobe exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic component assembly comprising: aboard comprising a first electronic component; a connector mounted tothe board and electrically connected to the first electronic component,the connector comprising a first anchoring feature positioned on anexterior of the connector; and a card comprising a second electroniccomponent and a first securing feature; a movable member positioned onone of the connector or the card, wherein: the movable member ispositioned in the first securing feature and contacts the firstanchoring feature to secure the card in a seated position in theconnector; or the first anchoring feature comprises the movable memberand contacts the first securing feature to secure the card in the seatedposition in the connector.
 2. The electronic component assembly of claim1, wherein the card includes a connection portion that is no longer than80% of a length of a connection side on which the connection portion islocated.
 3. The electronic component assembly of claim 1, wherein thefirst securing feature is selected from the group consisting of: a notchin a first side of the card that is adjacent to a connection side onwhich a connection portion is located, and a tab that extends from thecard.
 4. The electronic component assembly of claim 1, wherein the firstanchoring feature is selected from the group consisting of: a hook, adepression, a detent, and pincers.
 5. The electronic component assemblyof claim 1, wherein the movable member is an elastomeric band.
 6. Theelectronic component assembly of claim 1, wherein the movable member isa lever.
 7. The electronic component assembly of claim 1, wherein theconnector comprises a second anchoring feature positioned on theexterior of the connector opposite the first anchoring feature; and acard comprises a second securing feature opposite the first securingfeature.
 8. The electronic component assembly of claim 7, wherein thefirst anchoring feature and the second anchoring feature move away fromeach other, in opposite directions, as the card is moved from adisengaged position to the seated position.
 9. An electronic componentassembly comprising: a board comprising a first electronic component; aconnector mounted to the board and electrically connected to the firstelectronic component, the connector comprising an anchoring feature; anda card comprising a second electronic component, a first securingfeature, a second securing feature, and a movable member positioned inthe first and second securing features; wherein the movable member ispositioned in contact with the anchoring feature to secure the card in aseated position in the connector.
 10. The electronic component assemblyof claim 9, wherein the card includes a connection portion that is nolonger than 80% of a length of a connection side on which the connectionportion is located.
 11. The electronic component assembly of claim 9,wherein the first securing feature is a first notch in a first side ofthe card that is adjacent to a connection side on which a connectionportion is located, and the second securing feature is a second notch ina second side of the card that is adjacent to the connection side andopposite to the first side.
 12. The electronic component assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the anchoring feature is a hook on or a depression inthe connector.
 13. The electronic component assembly of claim 9, whereinthe movable member is an elastomeric band.
 14. The electronic componentassembly of claim 9, wherein the movable member is a lever.
 15. Anelectronic component assembly comprising: a board comprising a firstelectronic component; a connector mounted to the board and electricallyconnected to the first electronic component, the connector comprising afirst anchoring feature and a second anchoring feature; and a cardcomprising a second electronic component and a first securing feature,wherein the first securing feature is configured to be engaged by thefirst anchoring feature and the second anchoring feature to secure thecard in a seated position in the connector; wherein the first anchoringfeature and the second anchoring feature move away from each other, inopposite directions, as the card is moved from a disengaged position tothe seated position.
 16. The electronic component assembly of claim 15,wherein the card includes a connection portion that is no longer than80% of a length of a side on which the connection portion is located.17. The electronic component assembly of claim 15, wherein the firstsecuring feature and the second securing features are cut into the cardat a first distance that is shorter than a second distance between thefirst anchoring feature and the second anchoring feature when the cardis in the disengaged position.
 18. The electronic component assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the first anchoring feature and the second anchoringfeature initially move toward from each other, in opposite directions,as the card is moved from a disengaged position to the seated positionprior to subsequently move away from each other.
 19. The electroniccomponent assembly of claim 15, wherein: the connector further comprisesa third anchoring feature and a fourth anchoring feature; and the cardfurther comprises a second securing feature that is configured to beengaged by the third anchoring feature and the fourth anchoring featureto secure the card in the seated position in the connector.
 20. Theelectronic component assembly of claim 15, wherein the first anchoringfeature and the second anchoring feature initially move away from eachother, in opposite directions, as the card is moved from a disengagedposition to the seated position prior to subsequently move toward eachother.